A week is a long time in the fashion industry and as the fortunes of M&S reflect with its 19% decrease in trading profits it’s an incredibly difficult trading environment at the moment. 2,157 small independent retailers went out of business last year compared to 300 in 2003 – a worrying sign of the times. So, as ever, the LFF have been instigating new areas for information to keep you all well informed.
Firstly we have now created a new Fashion Gallery section, please click the News icon. Ever wondered what fashioned looked like in the 1920s, 30s, 40s and so on? There’s that famous expression “there is nothing new in fashion” so the team at LFF have provided a snapshot of fashion for each era to provide inspiration. Hearty thanks here to Carol Meads and Sarah Nesbit at the British Library for providing some of the images on line. For further information regarding the British Library and the vast array of services it has to offer for the fashion industry please click here
http://www.imagesonline.bl.uk/britishlibrary/
1920’s
1930’s
1940’s
In addition we are also allowing textile designers to preview their work to the 58,000 unique users on the site in the Fashion Gallery too. If you are a talented textile designer and you would like to see your work showcased please contact the ever-helpful Vanessa on 020 8462 1475 and let’s get going!
Within the next month we will also be adding in a new directory of independent boutiques for your information. One of the most cited problems that new and emerging designers encounter, besides cash flow of course, is where to find the right independents to sell their collections to. We are currently undertaking a review of independent boutiques and buying houses and the results will be available on the Retail Advice section shortly.
The Clotheshow live has already attracted a tremendous response and today we are going live with the application form. Please click here
https://www.fashioncapital.co.uk/images/stories/Alec/clothesshow.pdf
and enter your details and return to the LFF at the address on the form. This is one event not to be missed providing a great revenue earning opportunity for the selected 25 lucky ladieswear designers.
The LFF had the honour of meeting the new Minster for Creative Industry and Tourism on Monday – Mr James Purnell. It’s great to meet someone who has real passion about the industry and genuine desire to make the UK fashion business the very best in the world. The LFF are now organising a cross sector informal meeting to take place at the offices of Mr Purnell. More on this later.
MP. James Purnell
For further information regarding Mr Purnell please click here www.jamespurnell.org.uk/
and click here to review the meeting held on Monday 23rd May.
https://www.fashioncapital.co.uk/index.php?option=content&task=view&Itemid=27&id=4606/27/
As part of our Skills and Learning remit the LFF are providing a new easy to use listing of all fashion courses in the UK by FE and HE institutions – not an easy task as you can imagine but Stephanie McLaughlin is burning the midnight oil to assimilate this information for you. Some of this information has already be posted on the learning zone. Happy reading!
Finally, the demand for Profile 6 on September 20th and 21st at Vinopolis is already at new heights!! A sponsors pack is now available click here for further information:- http://www.londonfashionforum.com/Profile/P6_SponsorPack_www.pdf
and any designers wishing to apply for this unique event situated between Graduate Fashion Week and London Fashion Week should contact the office on 020 8462 1475 for an information pack.
Have a great week ahead.
Jenny Holloway
Industry Advisor
